JOHN METCALF, OF MANCHESTER.

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the difcernment, and contagious influence, of thofe painful emotions of the foul, that are visible on the countenance, and which hypocrify itself can fcarcely conceal. This difpofition, likewife, may be confidered as an internal evidence of the native worth of the human mind; that thus fupports it's dignity and chearfulness under one of the fevereft misfortunes that can poffibly befal us.

JOHN METCALF, a native of the neighbourhood of Manchefter, where he is well known, like the gentleman abovementioned, became blind at a very early age, fo as to be entirely unconscious of light and its various effects. This man paffed the younger part of his life as a waggoner, and, occafionally, as a guide in intricate roads during the night, or when the tracks were covered with fnow. Strange as this may appear to those who can fee, the employment he has fince undertaken is still more extraordinary: it is one of the last to which we could suppose a blind man would ever turn his attention. His prefent occupation is that of a projector and furveyor of highways in difficult and mountainous parts. With the affistance only of a long staff, I have several times met this man traverfing the roads, afcending precipices, exploring vallies, and investigating their several extents, forms, and fituations, fo as to anfwer his designs in the best manner. The plans which he defigns, and the estimates he makes, are done in a method peculiar to himfelf; and which he cannot well convey the meaning of to others. His abilities, in this refpect, are, nevertheless, so great, that he finds conftant employment. Most of the roads over the Peak in Derbyshire, have been altered by his directions; particularly thofe in the vicinity of Buxton: and he is, at this time, conftructing a new one, between Wilmflow and Congleton, with a view to open a communication to the great London road, without being obliged to pafs over the mountains.

Since

Since the above was written, and had the honour of being, delivered to the Society, I have met this blind projector of the roads, who was alone as ufual; and amongst other conversation, I made fome enquiries refpecting this new road. It was really astonishing to hear with what accuracy he described the courses, and the nature of the different foils, through which it was conducted. Having mentioned to him a boggy piece of ground it paffed through, he observed, that "that was the only place he had doubts concerning; and that he was apprehenfive they had, contrary to his directions, been too fparing of their materials." (Communicated by Mr. BEw.)

ADDITIONAL LINES ADDRESSED TO

MR. BENTLEY, OF LEADENHALL-STREET;

A man, who, poffeffing a cultivated mind and generous difpofition, affumes the character of a Mifanthrope, and lives the life of a Hermit.

By Mr. JOHN DOBBINSON.

Communicated by a Correspondent.

BENTLEY, oft-times I've wonder'd at thy plan,
That in th' unfocial being, hides the man;
T'unfold the myftic cause, perplex'd my brain,
But ftill I find the arduous task is vain :-
In Learning's mazy path, 'tis faid, thou'ft trod,
And wander'd through fair fcience' thorny road;
That thou haft travers'd fam'd Italia's plains-
Great school of arts, where Raphael, Titian reigns.
The focial throng thou'ft led to feftive glee s
Who more refin'd, more eloquent than thee!
Ev'n wealth had wifh'd thy pleasures then to share,
For pleasure then was all thy thought and care..

Then

COMMUNICATED BY A CORRESPONDENT.

Then why this fad reverfe? For, ah, thy mind,
Is grown difgufted, weary of mankind.
Strange and myfterious is the hidden cause,

That makes thee turn from Nature's focial laws:
For, from the world retir'd, almost alone,
Thy life is useless, and thy worth unknown.
Say, art thou ficken'd at the world's deceit,
The courtier's smile, and subtle statesman's cheat;
Or, has declining Merit droop'd her head,
And Vice exulting reign'd in Virtue's stead?
Perhaps imperious Love ufurp'd thy foul,
Rag'd at thy heart, and o'er thy bofom ftole;
To fome falfe fair, perhaps, thou'ft bent the knee,
Who fcorn'd alike thy tender fuit and thee,
And to fome worthless fool her honour gave,
The fon of Fashion, or bafe Lucre's flave;
If fo, I know thy pangs, for I have lov'd,
And through th' Elyfian paths of beauty rov'd.
Kind was Maria-gentle-lovely-fair-
"And I was blefs'd-for all my heaven was there!
But ah! th' Eternal Power that rules the earth,
That guides, directs, and gave Creation birth,
Snatch'd from thefe longing arms their only love,
And bore her to the realms of blifs above.
The woes I felt what language can impart !
Cold was the blood that trickled to my heart-
Distraction wild on every thought was borne,
My hopes were blafted, and my bofom torn.
Sudden I fought dark Melancholy's fhade,
To mourn in fecret o'er the ravish'd maid!
Thus, Sympathy has taught me now to frame
A cause for that which others harshly blame.
But ah! unknown to thee, the Bard who fings,
Who tunes to gentle ftrains his humble strings;

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Though

Though void of fortune, and obfcure his name,
He fcorns the venal path that leads to fame :
Impell'd by other's good, he grieves to find
Those virtues hid which might improve mankind.
And, BENTLEY, think on life's uncertain span-
Few are, at moft, the days, allow'd to man:
Some thankless heir fhall riot in thy gains-
The fruits of labour-folitary pains-

Who, whilft he quaffs the purple liquor down,
Perhaps thy memory in the juice fhall drown.
Then, be advis'd-rejoin the festive throng,
Let Mirth and Joy the fleeting hours prolong;
Let Pleasure round thy brows her wreath entwine,
And rofy love, and carelefs mirth be thine!

Account of a REMARKABLE DWARF,

JEFFERY HUDSON, a famous dwarf, was born at Oakham in Rutlandshire, in 1619. He was in the family of the then Duke of Buckingham, at feven years of age, at which time his ftature did not exceed eighteen inches; and to divert the court, which that nobleman entertained at Burleigh on the Hill, he was ferved up to table in a cold pye. He was afterwards prefented to Henrietta Maria, queen confort to King Charles I. and was often employed by her on meffages abroad. His fize never exceeded three feet nine inches. His courage, however, far exceeded the dimensions of his body; for upon the breaking out of the rebellion, he became a captain of horfe. When the Queen was forced out of England, he attended her to France; from whence he was banished for killing Mr. Croft, brother to the lord of that name; and going to fea, he was taken by a Turkifh corfair and fold for a flave, in which ftate he remained many years. Being afterwards redeemed he returned to England, and in the time of Oates's plot,

was